Every electric car driver knows it: the search for the next charging station is not always optimal. Not every location is listed, because not every app lists every charging station and the associated charging costs. Once you have found a suitable charging station and are lucky enough to find one that is free and also works, the only question that remains is: What does the electricity cost when I charge here? Are there different prices at different times? Is an additional basic charge necessary to get cheaper pries - and at what point does it pay off? Do I have to pay a blocking fee if I occupy the charging space for too long? Questions upon questions, which unfortunately are often not clearly recognisable on the spot. The lack of transparency in the price structures of the respective providers is anything but optimal. Many an e-car driver longs for the good old petrol station price board again at such moments.
The charging infrastructure is growing, but too slowly!
The number of charging points is now growing significantly: 28,338 new charging points were added just in 2022, in 2023, a further 36,814. But there is still enormous demand as the number of newly registered e-cars is also increasing. According to the Federal Network Agency, exactly 128,517 publicly accessible charging points for e-cars and plug-in hybrids were officially registered as of 1 March 2024, including 103,226 normal charging points (AC) and 25,291 fast charging points (DC). The charging points can simultaneously provide 4.52 GW of charging power. These are all public charging points that have completed the Federal Network Agency's notification procedure and are published on the Internet. In reality, the actual number is somewhat higher, as Tesla's Superchargers, for example, do not usually appear here.
Tesla now offers over 55,000 of these Superchargers worldwide. 218 locations are in Germany, many of which are also available to other car brands, according to ‘Teslamag’. Numerous new locations are currently under construction and will be opened this year. Tesla has enormously reduced the charging costs for its customers during off-peak times. In Oberhonnefeld or Hilden, charging outside the peak hours of 4pm-8pm now costs just 40 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) and is therefore around 25 per cent cheaper than before. For non-members, charging costs are between 51 and 62 cents, depending on the time of day and location. This means that charging with Tesla is cheaper in many locations than with EnBW mobility+, for example, which operates most of the fast-charging stations in Germany. Without a basic fee, charging electricity costs from 59 to 89 cents/kWh with the energy company from Baden-Württemberg. With a monthly subscription for €5.99 (Ledetarif M), you pay from 49 cents/kWh and as little as 39 cents/kWh for frequent drivers (basic fee €17.99).
Ionity has also followed suit and adjusted its prices. With the Passport Motion tariff (monthly fee of €5.99), a kilowatt hour now costs just €0.49 instead of €0.69 throughout Germany. The Ionity Passport Power tariff is even cheaper: Here you can charge in Germany for €0.39 / kWh with a monthly subscription for €11.99.
ADAC e-Charge with Aral Pulse
ADAC members can save. The automobile club provider is ending its collaboration with EnBW and has found ARAL as its new cooperation partner. From 1 August 2024, ADAC members will be able to enter their membership number in the Aral Pulse charging app to receive a special rate (ADAC e-Charge). However, this is only valid for two months. A new pricing model will be introduced from 1 October.
On average, only 12 e-cars per 1 public charging station
Overall, the expansion of the charging infrastructure is lagging behind the boom in electric cars, but things are improving. The VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry) recently analysed how the development of the charging infrastructure is progressing. The result proves that there are still too few charging points. This is shown by the recently published VDA e-charging network ranking. There are currently an average of 12 e-cars per publicly accessible charging point in Germany. (In 2023 there were 23, in 2021 just 17.)
In June 2024, 43,412 e-cars (BEV) were newly registered. An increase of almost 46% compared to May 2024 (29,708). This gives e-cars a market share of 14.6%, but a loss of 18.1% compared to the previous year.
In order to achieve the German government's target of one million charging points by 2030, a further intensive expansion of charging points is necessary. If the current rate of expansion is not increased, there would only be around 310,000 charging points in Germany in 2030 - less than a third of the target.
The filling stations of the future look different
In an interview with t-online.de, Aral's board member for electromobility Alexander Junge talked about the future of petrol stations on the road to electromobility: "The petrol station will definitely still exist afterwards, but it will have to look different and take on other functions."
The concept is more diverse: the petrol station will become a "mobility hub", i.e. a junction where people can change between different means of transport. In the surrounding area, there will still be shopping facilities, snack bars and further services such as car washes. "After all, e-cars also want to be washed. And of course there will be many more charging stations for these e-cars," Junge explained.
Shell is also equipping more and more petrol stations with fast-charging stations for electric cars. Especially around Hamburg, the density of available Shell charging points is already quite high. Along the way, they are also expanding the on-site range to include synthetic fuels such as e-fuels. But the company is also expanding in alternative directions. As recently as 2021, Shell bought the Berlin-based start-up Ubitricity, which enables electric cars to be charged at lampposts. We reported on the "Heinz" charging points .
But with all the variety of charging options, providers often forget what is really important to users: the charging process should be simple and all information should be immediately recognisable. Some charging stations display a maximum charging time, after which a blocking fee applies. But even if this is not signposted on site, different conditions apply depending on the charging card provider. For example, AC charging with the EnBW mobility+ charging card or charging app generally incurs a blocking fee of up to €12 after 4 hours, even abroad. With Elli, this fee is waived at night between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., so you can charge comfortably at night. It is also pleasing that most providers adjusted their tariffs in September and October of this year and now offer lower prices.
Apps help in the search for the right charging station
Almost the most important utensil for an electric car driver is his smartphone. With an app (assuming good network reception and data volume), suitable charging stations can be researched on the road. You can find out the relevant information about prices, charging power and availability via various apps. We present a few helpful applications:
Next Plug: over 100,000 charging points at a glance
The free app includes more than 100,000 charging points in 48 countries. The application distinguishes between charging stations with a low charging power of up to 10 kW, a medium charging power of up to 40 kW and fast chargers with over 40 kW. If there is a fault, a black symbol appears.
Clicking on a specific station lists all information such as the address, charging plug, operator, opening hours and costs.
The application has been continuously developed since 2017, taking community feedback into account and adding new features.
One negative point: Unfortunately, the app is only available for Android so far.
EnBW mobility+: Find a charging point, start the charging process and pay
The app offers you an all-round carefree package. It not only helps e-drivers find a suitable charging station, but also handles the payment process after charging in a very uncomplicated way. Over 30,000 charging points in Germany belong to the network of EnBW, Energie Baden-Württemberg, and can be found quickly via the app.
To find the right charging station for the vehicle, the results can be filtered by plug type or desired charging power. With EnBW mobility +, charging cards are no longer necessary. Once you have stored your payment methods in the app, you can pay your charging costs quickly and easily with your smartphone after each charging stop. This service is also included with the ADAC charging card.
Chargemap: To search for and find charging stations
The free "Chargemap" app allows you to find charging stations in your area in seconds. Thanks to practical filter options, you can quickly find out about the charging speed and connection type of the selected charging station. You also receive all relevant data on the respective charging station. With the help of the route function, you can prepare your journey with the e-car and easily find suitable charging stations before you set off - based on a charging infrastructure of more than 166,000 listed charging points worldwide.
NextCharge: The digital charging station directory
The "NextCharge" app has similar functions to "Next Plug". In addition, it shows you for thousands of charging stations worldwide whether the station you are looking for is actually free - and all this in real time. Reservation of the charging station and charging is very simple via app control. The app also offers an integrated route planner. So you can start your journey relaxed and be sure that there will be enough charging stations along the way.
Ladefuchs: Charging costs at a glance
When you are standing in front of a charging station, the Ladefuchs app shows you the cheapest charging card you can use on site with a swipe of your finger. Thanks to emobly.com, the app always provides up-to-date data. The app is free of charge, but the Ladefuchs is happy to receive a small donation, which makes it squeal a little with satisfaction.
The range of charging options is becoming increasingly diverse, but unfortunately not more uniform, which would be desirable. Electricity charging must be simple: sufficient charging points and a transparent price structure for charging costs with simple payment options. Only when such a comprehensive charging infrastructure is in place will even the last doubters realise how much fun it is to be electrically mobile.